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After going toe-to-toe over a new shoe that troopers were required to wear on the road, the
State Highway Patrol and the troopers’ union have settled a grievance over the footwear.

Troopers assigned to the road will have the option of wearing the current lace-up,
athletic-type shoe or the new buckle, chukka-style shoes that some troopers complained were slick
and came off too easily.

The union and three troopers had filed grievances accusing the patrol of creating an unsafe
working condition by requiring all troopers to begin wearing the new shoe by Nov. 1. The settlement
was announced by the union this morning.

Troopers complained the new shoes came off too easily while chasing or wrestling suspects and
had slick soles, leading to slips and falls.

“Kudos to Col. Paul Pride (patrol superintendent) for recognizing the potential danger to our
members and agreeing to this common-sense settlement,” said Trooper Larry Phillips, president of
the Ohio State Troopers Association.

Troopers, sergeants and patrol police officers will be required to wear the new shoe while
wearing their dress uniforms, attending ceremonies, making public speaking appearances and
attending classroom training, the union advised its members.

Officers with the rank of lieutenant and above will be required to wear the new dress shoe.